Sirach 47:2-11

Good News Translation

David

^2 (A)As the choice fat portion of the fellowship offering is reserved for the Lord, so David was chosen from among the Israelites. ³ He played with lions and bears as if they were lambs or little goats. ⁴ When he was still a boy, he killed a giant to rescue his people. He put a stone in his sling, took aim, and put an end to Goliath's bragging. ⁵ He prayed to the Lord, the Most High, and was given the strength to kill that famous soldier, so that the nations would have respect for the power of his people. ⁶ The people honored him for killing his tens of thousands, and when he was crowned king, they praised him for being chosen by the Lord. ⁷ He wiped out all his enemies and permanently crushed the Philistines, so that they never again became a threat.

⁸ In everything David did, he gave thanks and praise to the Holy Lord, the Most High. He loved his Creator and sang praises to him with all his heart. ⁹ He put singers at the altar to provide beautiful music. ¹⁰ He set the times of the festivals throughout the year and made them splendid occasions; the Temple rang with the Lord's praises all day long. ¹¹ The Lord forgave David's sin and established his power forever. He made a covenant with him that he and his descendants would reign in splendor over Israel.